Statewide Campaign Kicks Off College-Application Drive

Share Article

Arizona College Application Campaign Launches at 46 High Schools

“The Arizona College Application Campaign gave me the drive to apply for college early, in spite of roadblocks and excuses,” said Colby Brooks, a sophomore at Arizona State University.

Phoenix (PRWEB)October 21, 2015

The Arizona College Application Campaign (AzCAC), a statewide effort with the goal of ensuring every high school senior completes at least one college application, officially launches on November 1. The campaign, organized by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education, aims to build a college-going community, one high school and one student at a time. This year, 46 high schools, representing more than 14,000 seniors, are participating in the Campaign.

Each, AzCAC host site will set aside time during the school day for seniors to sit at a computer with Internet access to complete at least one college applications. Each high school selects the times/days that fit the needs of its students and adults are on hand to assist with the application process.

“We hope to have similar results to last year where 21% or 2,680 students applied for the first time to college or a vocational school. said Dr. April L. Osborn, Executive Director of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. “We have great partners in the counselors and principals of these schools, and together we seek to make the college application and admissions process less daunting for Arizona’s students.”

A special focus of the campaign is placed on students who would be the first in their families to attend college, those who are low-income and others who believe college is unachievable or unnecessary. Of the 46 high schools participating, 83 percent are considered low-income, or Title 1.

“The Arizona College Application Campaign gave me the drive to apply for college early, in spite of roadblocks and excuses,” said Colby Brooks, a sophomore at Arizona State University who graduated from Winslow High School. “My first acceptance letter gave me the courage to apply for admission to additional colleges and served as a reminder to get busy on applying for scholarships. I would have missed out on scholarships that I now am enjoying.”

The Arizona College Application Campaign is part of a nationwide program. More than 450,000 applications were filed in 45 states last year. All 50 states are expected to participate in the 2015 campaign.

Arizona has some of the lowest college-going and college-attainment rates in the country, with only 51 percent of seniors going onto college and only 26 percent of Arizonans over the age of 25 holding an associate’s degree or higher.

“We need to improve those statistics,” Osborn added. “The fiscal case for attending college is clear: Unemployment rates are cut in half and college graduates earn, on average, 80 percent more than those with just a high school diploma.”

Beginning this year, students who complete their application will be entered in to a random drawing to win various prizes such as gift cards, movie tickets and more. The Commission is accepting donations to help to provide these incentives to encourage Arizona students to apply for college. To learn more info about how you can support the campaign and find a complete listing of participating Arizona high schools, visit the AzCAC Event Calendar: https://collegegoal.az.gov/join-arizona-college-application-campaign.

About Arizona College Application Campaign (AzCAC)
The goal of the AzCAC is to ensure every high school senior completes at least one application. A special focus is placed on students who would be the first of their families to attend, low-income students and students who may not have otherwise considered applying. The campaign is organized by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education https://highered.az.gov and funded through donations.

About Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education
The mission of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education is to expand access to and to increase success in postsecondary education. The Commission administers state student financial aid programs, is the state’s administrator for the Arizona Family College Savings Program, and hosts College Goal FASFA, as well as numerous other postsecondary education initiatives. For more information on the Commission visit http://www.highered.az.gov.